When I first opened the email saying I’d been accepted into the Manta Trust’s Ocean Ambassador Project, I had to read it three times just to believe it. I still remember sitting there with my heart racing, half excited and half terrified about what I’d just signed myself up for. I had no idea at the time just how much it would change me—or how many amazing people I’d soon be lucky enough to call friends.
For those who don’t know, the Manta Trust is a very well-known and respected UK-based charity dedicated to the conservation of manta rays and their habitats through research, education, and collaboration. They run projects all over the world, including in the Maldives, the Azores, Hawaii, and many more places where mantas thrive. Their Ocean Ambassador Project brings together young people from around the world who are passionate about protecting the ocean and gives us the training, support, and platform to make a real difference.
Ever since the first online session, I’ve been fascinated by how much there is to learn about mantas and the ecosystems they’re part of. Before this, I only knew the basics about manta rays, but through the program I’ve gained a deeper understanding of their importance, the threats they face, and why protecting them is so crucial. (Did you know mantas actually have the largest brain of any fish? When I first learned that, I couldn’t stop smiling—it made me love calling them the “gentle giants” of the ocean even more.) Every meeting feels like I’m uncovering a whole new world beneath the waves.
Getting into the Ocean Ambassador Project was both exciting and nerve-wracking. The application process itself felt huge—I remember being so nervous during my first interview that I stuttered and made a few mistakes. At the time I thought I’d blown it, but it turned out that what really mattered was being genuine and passionate. Thankfully, I got selected, and now I’m part of a group of 23 ambassadors, all between the ages of 13 and 18, from across the world.
We meet once a month in online sessions where we get to hear from guest speakers from the Manta Trust. These talks give us a rare behind-the-scenes look at what conservation actually involves. It’s not just the exciting moments you see on social media—it’s research, community engagement, advocacy, and so much hard work. Hearing directly from the people dedicating their lives to protecting the ocean has been eye-opening.
One of the most inspiring parts of this journey has been meeting so many accomplished and passionate young people my age. For the first time, I felt a real sense of belonging. I wasn’t just the “ocean geek” in the corner anymore—I was surrounded by people who got just as excited about corals, plankton, and manta rays as I did. Being in a space where everyone shares the same drive to protect our planet made me feel seen, motivated, and empowered to do more.
As part of the program, each of us is expected to design and lead our own project. I’ve teamed up with a fellow Ocean Ambassador from Bangalore, and together we’ve launched a project called Beyond the Shore. Our goal is to educate and empower students in Bangalore to raise awareness about the ocean and fight for its protection. I’ll be writing a separate post dedicated to sharing more about this project soon—so stay tuned!
I still have a couple more months left in the Ocean Ambassador Project, and I plan to keep sharing updates about my journey and everything I’m learning along the way. If you’re curious to learn more about the incredible work the Manta Trust does, I’ve linked their website here. Being part of their Ocean Ambassador Project has been nothing short of life-changing, and one day, it’s my dream to work as part of the Manta Trust team itself.
